2012 cycling race report thread
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2012-01-22 9:57 PM |
Master 1484 Sedona, AZ | Subject: 2012 cycling race report thread I'll kick it off... Racing season started in AZ this weekend. Avondale Crit #1 (still recovering from a broken collarbone from 7 weeks ago): Course is all right turns, 'D' shaped with 3 quick 90's and a long sweeping ~180 (yes somehow it works), only ~.53 miles long. Race 1 - Cat 5a - First crit since I was a junior (in the mid-80's). Woke up at 4:45 and drove 2 hrs to the race venue. Checked in, set up and tried to find my teammate with my team jersey. Didn't find him and used an old plain jersey. Started out good, stayed near the front on the right side (inside of all turns) of the course the whole race. Broke away for 1 lap mostly on accident. Finished with the front pack, 11th/50. Race 2 - Cat 4/5 - Had to wait around for over 3 hrs for my next race. I would have raced the Cat 5b immediately after the 5a but it said it was closed on the web registration. When I checked in, they said it was open but I was already registered for the 4/5. Oh well. Started out further behind, stayed inside again for the whole race. This was a little faster, and I was tired from sitting around for so long. Since I can't sprint yet due to my collarbone (can't pull up on the handlebars), I practiced tail gunning and cornering at the back of the pack. I wanted to stay in contact the whole time and finish with the pack so I was happy. 38/75. Man, crits start out so fast! It was a good experience. I have a ton of reasons why I didn't do better - plenty more than just the collarbone - but overall I'm happy with both races. The 4/5 was my largest field by far and I was really nervous about crashing in both races (all turns to the right with a ~50% strong right clavicle means that a crash would have been really painful!). Normally I wouldn't say 'not crashing' is much of a race strategy but for this weekend and the next several that's my primary goal. Fun times! |
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2012-01-23 5:46 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Master 1603 Connecticut | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Nice job! |
2012-01-23 7:19 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Champion 9060 Charlottesville, Virginia | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread MonkeyClaw - 2012-01-22 10:57 PM I'll kick it off... Racing season started in AZ this weekend. Avondale Crit #1 (still recovering from a broken collarbone from 7 weeks ago): Course is all right turns, 'D' shaped with 3 quick 90's and a long sweeping ~180 (yes somehow it works), only ~.53 miles long. Race 1 - Cat 5a - First crit since I was a junior (in the mid-80's). Woke up at 4:45 and drove 2 hrs to the race venue. Checked in, set up and tried to find my teammate with my team jersey. Didn't find him and used an old plain jersey. Started out good, stayed near the front on the right side (inside of all turns) of the course the whole race. Broke away for 1 lap mostly on accident. Finished with the front pack, 11th/50. Race 2 - Cat 4/5 - Had to wait around for over 3 hrs for my next race. I would have raced the Cat 5b immediately after the 5a but it said it was closed on the web registration. When I checked in, they said it was open but I was already registered for the 4/5. Oh well. Started out further behind, stayed inside again for the whole race. This was a little faster, and I was tired from sitting around for so long. Since I can't sprint yet due to my collarbone (can't pull up on the handlebars), I practiced tail gunning and cornering at the back of the pack. I wanted to stay in contact the whole time and finish with the pack so I was happy. 38/75. Man, crits start out so fast! It was a good experience. I have a ton of reasons why I didn't do better - plenty more than just the collarbone - but overall I'm happy with both races. The 4/5 was my largest field by far and I was really nervous about crashing in both races (all turns to the right with a ~50% strong right clavicle means that a crash would have been really painful!). Normally I wouldn't say 'not crashing' is much of a race strategy but for this weekend and the next several that's my primary goal. Fun times! Very nice congrats! And very jealous, I think we have about 2 months before the first races in the Mid Atlantic. |
2012-01-23 8:48 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Pro 4528 Norwalk, Connecticut | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread |
2012-01-23 1:01 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Nice. Another month and a half until our spring series starts, so no racing yet. To keep me occupied, I'm riding in Hawaii at the end of February. I'm impressed that there are so many categories that you can race. |
2012-01-24 8:06 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Pro 4054 yep, | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Congrats on the placement right out the top 10 for your first race back from an injury. I have a race/training race this coming weekend down in Richmond with some of the local team guys. Should be fun, 2nd race overall and 1st race of the season. |
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2012-01-28 4:02 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
Pro 4054 yep, | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread First Training race of the Season. Sno Cone Crit in Richmond, VA Field size was much larger then usual (71 people). Race consisted of Cat 4/5 and Jr. racers. Course was a 1.2 mile loop with a slight up hill to start, 180 turn and back down the hill you just came up. Two quick rollers before a right hand turn into the parking lot with two more right hand turns until you exit the parking lot. Slight downhill until you hit the starting line again. My whole goal was just to have fun and see where my training was. Straight off the start the pace accelerated and went off like a bullet. I stayed on for about 3 laps before I got blown off the back. Big ego drop but this again is a training race and you are allow to catch back on at the 180 turn. Before catching back on I took a look at my computer with an avg of 23-24 and max of 34!. I was quite surprised and just figured to try and stay on as long as I can. I clip back on with the field when it came back around and lasted another 3 laps before I met up with a team mate of mine. We ended up pacing each other for about 3-4 laps before I was beat up again. Race had two laps to go so I pulled off and cheered on the guys as they finished. Nothing in the top 10 for the team but still a good experience to go through. Need to do more high threshold work and more distance. I've changed my training plan a bit to add a long workout in the middle of the week with two HIT workouts and then a long ride on the weekend. We'll see how that works. |
2012-01-28 4:24 PM in reply to: #4016218 |
Champion 9060 Charlottesville, Virginia | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Dlaxman31 - 2012-01-28 5:02 PM First Training race of the Season. Sno Cone Crit in Richmond, VA Field size was much larger then usual (71 people). Race consisted of Cat 4/5 and Jr. racers. Course was a 1.2 mile loop with a slight up hill to start, 180 turn and back down the hill you just came up. Two quick rollers before a right hand turn into the parking lot with two more right hand turns until you exit the parking lot. Slight downhill until you hit the starting line again. My whole goal was just to have fun and see where my training was. Straight off the start the pace accelerated and went off like a bullet. I stayed on for about 3 laps before I got blown off the back. Big ego drop but this again is a training race and you are allow to catch back on at the 180 turn. Before catching back on I took a look at my computer with an avg of 23-24 and max of 34!. I was quite surprised and just figured to try and stay on as long as I can. I clip back on with the field when it came back around and lasted another 3 laps before I met up with a team mate of mine. We ended up pacing each other for about 3-4 laps before I was beat up again. Race had two laps to go so I pulled off and cheered on the guys as they finished. Nothing in the top 10 for the team but still a good experience to go through. Need to do more high threshold work and more distance. I've changed my training plan a bit to add a long workout in the middle of the week with two HIT workouts and then a long ride on the weekend. We'll see how that works. Great job CJ, lol I've found around here training races can be more difficult than "real" races, that would be a faster pace than anything I did last year. |
2012-01-28 8:16 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Cal Aggie Crit Cat 3: Lined up with one teammate in a field of 50. Technical course that I don't particularly like, the back half of the course has a 60 degree turn followed by a sweeping roundabout which is then followed by two chicanes which spits you out 300m from the finish. Wasn't expecting much as I have had a head cold/sinus infection the past two weeks. My plan was to mark the guy that I expected to win who had a good group around him at all times. Luckily, I'm friend with all of them and I was always within a bike length of him. Long story short, they didn't execute their plan and the field bunched up in back half of the last lap and i was caught way too far back. Moved up through the field to finish 17th. The guy that I was expecting to win ended up 12th with teammates at 14 and 15. There was a small opportunity to change my fate but I hesitated as it is to early in the season to wreck. Cal Aggie Crit Pro 1/2/3: One of the few 1,2,3 fields at a race in Northern California. About 70 people lined up, no teammates and even less expectations. Just wanted to get a good workout. Since it was the first race of the year between my races I was hanging out with friends and I didn't eat or drink anything and and was to involved with conversations that I wasn't paying attention to the time so no warmup before the second race. I was on the rivet the entire race just trying to hang on as the race was completely strung out single file. Ended up pulling off with three laps to go due to massive cramp. Overall pleased with the day and glad to get the first race of the season jitters out of the way. |
2012-01-29 2:53 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
Master 1484 Sedona, AZ | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Bike Haus Crit, Firebird East race course. Pretty neat course, clockwise 1.2 miles, 10 turns total w/ chicanes, sweeping 180 and ~135 degree tight turn into the finish. Race 1: Cat 4/5 - Somewhat sketchy race, several crashes due to poor bike handling and cornering. I hung out at the edges in the middle, broke away for a lap with one other guy but he didn't want to work so I stopped too. Wanted to test my sprint so I made a small sprint to the finish to see how my shoulder feels. Felt good, finished with the pack. Race 2: Cat 5 - VERY sketchy race! Lots of crashes, people not keeping their lines, shooting from one side of the field to the other, etc. Not good on a technical course like this (or ever). Right before the start of the final lap my teammate and I made a move towards the front on the inside (the peloton was pushed against the left side). As we were passing the front of the group, someone swerved out of the group and into my teammate. I thought he shouldered him but my teammate isn't sure. In either case, my teammate went down in front of me. I tried to swerve but ran into his rear wheel. The next thing I remember, people were standing above me badgering me with questions. Name? Tim; Age? 41; Location? Ummm..... An ambulance was brought out and I was taken to the trauma center for a CT scan. My helmet was smashed, my teammate's frame was cracked and they were afraid to let me move my head. In the end, there wasn't a lot of damage to me. My nose spewed blood all over my shirt and face which made things look bad. My helmet is destroyed but saved my noggin. My jersey is partially shredded. The race was stopped due to the number of crashes. It was not a pretty sight. I'm pretty disappointed with the way the second race went. It was like everyone thought they were out there alone. They would try to take every turn as tightly as possible, cutting through people and generally not paying attention to anyone else. It was dangerous, and lots of people went down. I was riding towards the front because of this, but it didn't help. I'm very sore today. One thing I noticed in this race is that many people try to take corners way too tight. When you're alone, this is usually the fastest line. When in a group though, you'll find the people closest to the inside of the turns slow down a lot due to the congestion. Often you can maintain more speed toward the outside of the turn and have fewer bodies to worry about. Only 4 more races... (IMG00201 (Medium).jpg) Attachments ---------------- IMG00201 (Medium).jpg (96KB - 17 downloads) |
2012-01-30 7:15 AM in reply to: #4017226 |
Champion 9060 Charlottesville, Virginia | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread MonkeyClaw - 2012-01-29 3:53 PM Bike Haus Crit, Firebird East race course. Pretty neat course, clockwise 1.2 miles, 10 turns total w/ chicanes, sweeping 180 and ~135 degree tight turn into the finish. Race 1: Cat 4/5 - Somewhat sketchy race, several crashes due to poor bike handling and cornering. I hung out at the edges in the middle, broke away for a lap with one other guy but he didn't want to work so I stopped too. Wanted to test my sprint so I made a small sprint to the finish to see how my shoulder feels. Felt good, finished with the pack. Race 2: Cat 5 - VERY sketchy race! Lots of crashes, people not keeping their lines, shooting from one side of the field to the other, etc. Not good on a technical course like this (or ever). Right before the start of the final lap my teammate and I made a move towards the front on the inside (the peloton was pushed against the left side). As we were passing the front of the group, someone swerved out of the group and into my teammate. I thought he shouldered him but my teammate isn't sure. In either case, my teammate went down in front of me. I tried to swerve but ran into his rear wheel. The next thing I remember, people were standing above me badgering me with questions. Name? Tim; Age? 41; Location? Ummm..... An ambulance was brought out and I was taken to the trauma center for a CT scan. My helmet was smashed, my teammate's frame was cracked and they were afraid to let me move my head. In the end, there wasn't a lot of damage to me. My nose spewed blood all over my shirt and face which made things look bad. My helmet is destroyed but saved my noggin. My jersey is partially shredded. The race was stopped due to the number of crashes. It was not a pretty sight. I'm pretty disappointed with the way the second race went. It was like everyone thought they were out there alone. They would try to take every turn as tightly as possible, cutting through people and generally not paying attention to anyone else. It was dangerous, and lots of people went down. I was riding towards the front because of this, but it didn't help. I'm very sore today. One thing I noticed in this race is that many people try to take corners way too tight. When you're alone, this is usually the fastest line. When in a group though, you'll find the people closest to the inside of the turns slow down a lot due to the congestion. Often you can maintain more speed toward the outside of the turn and have fewer bodies to worry about. Only 4 more races... Ugh, sorry to hear that. Early season races always seem to be a bit sketchy, but that sounds a bit over the top. |
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2012-02-13 11:47 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Master 1484 Sedona, AZ | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Valley of the Sun Stage Race, Cat 5b |
2012-02-13 11:55 AM in reply to: #4018086 |
Master 1484 Sedona, AZ | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread dalessit - 2012-01-30 5:15 AM Ugh, sorry to hear that. Early season races always seem to be a bit sketchy, but that sounds a bit over the top. Thanks. I spoke to a few people this weekend who were at that race. Turns out there was some confusion about the bell ringing for the final lap. Someone thought they were either finishing a prime lap or were at the finish and jumped for a sprint right into my teammate. They should have checked for traffic before making a jump like that (obviously). They also should have been more aware of what was going on in the race (no prime, 1 lap to go). I still don't know who it was, but I'm going to be extra careful late in the race and be sure to give good room when going by people. |
2012-02-27 10:15 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Master 1484 Sedona, AZ | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Avondale Crit #2 - Cat 5 Nothing too exciting. I wanted to stay near the front and keep the pace high to keep the race safer. I ended up on the front for 3 laps doing a tempo ride. I felt pretty good and stayed near the front for the rest of the race. Ended up finishing 6/50 with a weak sprint. Avondale Crit #2 - Cat 4/5 Wanted to stay near the front again. Winds had picked up. Around the big sweeping corner turning into the wind, everything would slow down and people would crowd up the edges and tuck back in. This made the whole group rotate. After a few laps I realized I didn't have the strength in my legs to hold a high position and started rotating with the rest of the group. With 5 laps to go, there was a crash between two corners. I was riding the left edge near the dirt when the crash happened. I wanted to stay on the road, but when I saw a bike fly up I took my leave and into the dirt I went. The field split and I just made it in the front group. They cut one lap off of the race as the sign read 3 laps the next time we passed it. My legs didn't come back and I was spooked from the crash, so I rode in with the pack around 40/75. Put in my Cat 4 upgrade petition today. Already registered for the Tucson Bike Classic as a 5, but that should be my last as a 5. |
2012-02-27 3:19 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
Master 1603 Connecticut | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Good job in the car 5 finish and smart choice playing it safe in the 4/5. There will be more races. Live to fight another day. |
2012-03-06 10:49 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Master 1484 Sedona, AZ | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Tucson Bike Classic 3-day stage race - group 5A (~30 ppl) Day 1 - 3.2 mile hilly TT - Strong headwinds and crosswinds, starts off downhill but the majority is uphill with an uphill finish. Still felt confident with my Jet 9 front and rear on my TT bike, but was blown around more than I would have liked. 5th Day 2 - 40 miles (2 x 20 mile) course with some moderate climbs and a climbing finish. A break of 1 got away at the beginning. I stayed near the front but the teammates of the guy in the break blocked every chance they got (teamwork??? In a cat 5 race???). Several miles in, I broke from the group too and made a half-hearted attempt to bridge w/o draining myself. When the course turned downhill, the pack put the big guys on the front and caught me. I latched on near the front again keeping my eyes on the rest of the group and trying to see what the finish was like when we passed it on the first lap. The second lap was pretty similar. The break was caught, and any attacks were shut down. Along the small rollers prior to the final turn to the finish the large team started attacking and counter-attacking. That was fun to see. I was able to hold by staying on the wheels of the contenders but several people were dropped. After the turn up the final hill the attacks from the team stopped and it was every man for himself. I followed the front group up the hill and finished with the pack. 6th w/ no time gap. Day 3 - 28 miles (5 x 5.6 mile course) with climbs and rollers, and another climbing finish. There was a bit more climbing overall in this course than the day before. Another guy tried to break at the beginning. I was ready and latched onto him this time. After a mile or so, he decided not to give it a go and slowed down. The rest of the group caught us and I was leading at a pretty leisurely pace. You could tell people were tired. At the lap 3 sprint bonus, there was a little surge for the bonus. I went with the group but didn't try for the bonus. The climb to the finish started out steep, then got shallower near the line. Most people went too hard at the bottom only to lose energy on the shallow part. I tried to conserve on the steeper part and passed a lot of people near the top of it and had some left to sprint. I wasn't quick enough to stay with the leaders this time and got gapped 8s. 7th for the stage. Overall I ended up 6th. The same guy won days 2 and 3 and got 20s of bonus time, putting him above me in 5th. I knew it was a possibility but didn't have the legs to surge at the end. He did a great job and earned his spot! Since the last stage race (Valley of the Sun) I've been trying to work mostly on my FTP. I've gotten much stronger than I was and am planning two more weeks of FTP work before a two week block of VO2max and sprint work. My power profile makes it obvious that my weak link is my 5s and 1m power. Any hints on improving these would be great, especially from a great track racer who specializes in this kind of thing... |
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2012-03-06 11:27 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Pro 4528 Norwalk, Connecticut | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Well... first week of the Bethel Crit series 20 laps 8/10 mile a lap on 8% climb at end of every lap. Raced in the Cat4 race, we had planned on getting a small group to go at the gun, see what happened from there. I lined up in the front row and chit chatted with a junior in the race, as soon as the whistle blew i was gone, and 100 guys followed right behind me, LOL. So i got about 2/3rd of a lap and started looking behind, went and pulled over and like a big snake they followed, i sat up and forced them around me. Spent the first half the race in the front, very easy pace for me to hold. at lap 10 a couple of breaks had been launched and caught, me and a buddy countered and went off the front by about 15-20 seconds, we lasted 5 laps, i won a $40 prime, and the field caught us with about 5 to go. Last prime with 3 to go, i went for it halfheartedly, looking or my teammates to jump with me and maybe counter off the sprint for the prime, but i could not find them. Got into what i though was a good train for the sprint finish, but sketchy racing and guys just doing stupid stuff cut us off, the sprint went and i watched from about 30th spot. Since only the top 5 get points i sat up, and proceeded to get cut off and bumped for 40th-60th place. Pretty stupid on the racers part, bad race execution by me, i race here enough to know not to be where i was, i just felt we had a good strong train and could make up the less than ideal position. Oh well, there is always next week. |
2012-03-06 11:44 AM in reply to: #4082867 |
Champion 9060 Charlottesville, Virginia | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Rudedog55 - 2012-03-06 12:27 PM Well... first week of the Bethel Crit series 20 laps 8/10 mile a lap on 8% climb at end of every lap. Raced in the Cat4 race, we had planned on getting a small group to go at the gun, see what happened from there. I lined up in the front row and chit chatted with a junior in the race, as soon as the whistle blew i was gone, and 100 guys followed right behind me, LOL. So i got about 2/3rd of a lap and started looking behind, went and pulled over and like a big snake they followed, i sat up and forced them around me. Spent the first half the race in the front, very easy pace for me to hold. at lap 10 a couple of breaks had been launched and caught, me and a buddy countered and went off the front by about 15-20 seconds, we lasted 5 laps, i won a $40 prime, and the field caught us with about 5 to go. Last prime with 3 to go, i went for it halfheartedly, looking or my teammates to jump with me and maybe counter off the sprint for the prime, but i could not find them. Got into what i though was a good train for the sprint finish, but sketchy racing and guys just doing stupid stuff cut us off, the sprint went and i watched from about 30th spot. Since only the top 5 get points i sat up, and proceeded to get cut off and bumped for 40th-60th place. Pretty stupid on the racers part, bad race execution by me, i race here enough to know not to be where i was, i just felt we had a good strong train and could make up the less than ideal position. Oh well, there is always next week. HAHA at our summer long training series last year we had a guy screaming at everyone to come around and we all followed behind like a snake, no one wanting to get stuck up front. And don't sit up that will mess up your roadbikeresults ranking! |
2012-03-06 11:52 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Pro 4528 Norwalk, Connecticut | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIDbXjeI0Zs&feature=youtu.be
here is a small Vid, i am in the white kit on the left, yes the fat guy. |
2012-03-07 12:42 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
New user 7 Los Angeles | Subject: Death Valley hands me my ass, then snickers derisively as I slink home. The week before the race, a friend of mine gave me such a good pep talk, that I almost thought I had a chance of completing the Adventure Corps 150 miler. "It'll be great!" I told myself. "I just have to ride like hell for the first half, and then I can coast!" I didn't finish the 150, but I did manage to go 100 miles (Yay me!), plus I learned a few things which will come in handy for Rachel vs. Death Valley, the Rematch. I'd hoped to be in wave 2, which left at 6:20, I ended up in wave 4, which left at 6:40. There were cutoff times at each of the aid stations - of course, for the 150 ride, those cutoff times required a much higher speed than did the century course. After hearing tales of gale-force winds from people who had done the ride before, I got a bit nervous, but the wind seemed to be holding off, so all seemed fairly well. Then, just as I was feeling confident, the wind picked up. Not gale force, like the horror stories from last year, but a good steady 16mph. Just enough to slow me down to the point where, when I got to the second aid stop, I was warned that I might not make the time cutoff. Then, I started the first climb. Since my road bike is steel and my TT bike is in the shop, I rented a bike, and it became apparent very quickly that said rental bike was SO not geared to climb. My heart rate soared and my speed dropped and dropped and dropped until I was going at about walking speed. A very, very old man on a beach cruiser (I think) passed me, as did an ambling coyote, and at one point, a snail. So, it wasn't much of a surprise at the Jubilee Pass 50 mile marker I was told that I'd missed the time cutoff and would have to turn around. I said "oh, darn", but inwardly I thought "Yay!". That first climb was tough, and the second climb into Shoshone, I'm told, was worse. I turned around, rolled down the hill (but kept braking as I'm still to scared to go much over 25 mph) and turned back, into a headwind. The wind, while I was climbing, had shifted 180 degrees, and I'd have a headwind in both directions. Thanks, Death Valley, thanks a lot. After the second Badwater stop is when I really started to hurt. I wasn't cramping up, I was just sore and tired, but since this particular race won't SAG riders in unless there's some sort of catastrophic injury, my only option was to keep riding. The last blissful mile was all downhill into Furnace Creek. I coasted into the ranch, checked in and informed them that I'd dropped down to the 100 miler, and finally got off that damned bike. Between the winds, the hills, and the general unprepared state of my legs, my official time for the 100 mile ride was 9 hours 20 minutes. That stinging sensation - it's my pride. I'm not all that fast and I know it, but NINE hours? Were my neck not so sore, I would hang my head in shame. Full write up and photos on the blog here. |
2012-03-08 5:39 AM in reply to: #4084971 |
Master 1603 Connecticut | Subject: RE: Death Valley hands me my ass, then snickers derisively as I slink home. Erindera, hold your head high and be proud of the fact that you stuck it out through a long and difficult event (the 100 sounds plenty brutal to me, without adding an extra 50 miles!) One of the many satisfying things about riding, especially endurance riding, is that performance is quite responsive to training and persistence yields progressive improvement over the years. With time and proper training, you could be very well-prepared for the 150m next time... or whatever other goals you set your mind to. |
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2012-03-12 7:20 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
Champion 9060 Charlottesville, Virginia | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Seems there was some racing in the NY area this weekend, it's Monday night, where are the reports??? |
2012-03-13 11:12 AM in reply to: #4005147 |
Pro 4528 Norwalk, Connecticut | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Sorry Tony, i was waiting for the champ to post hers first, lol Sunday Bethel, Cat 4 race: I did not attack at the start this time, i sat in and wheel sucked most of the race, the race was about 1.5 mph slower than last week. So it was pretty boring, the wind was kinda stiff on the back straight, lots of little attacks that went now where for more than a lap or so, i did not get any work in last week due to some work issues, so my legs were totally stale and i had no pop, as the laps wound down, some of the stronger guys got in the front and i started seeing the sprinters teams organizing, with 2 to go, i saw a NY Velocity guy get up front, he attacked at the hill, i had a hard time getting on his wheel, when i did i bridged the whole field to us, so i said screw it i went on a suicide mission and hit it hard with about 1 to go, i was really hoping that one of my guys would get on my wheel, but alas, they missed it, but what i succeeded in doing was destroy the sprinters and their teams, i led the last lap till about 250m to go with about 13-15 riders strung out single file behind me, as the strong guys on my wheel sprinted past. I coasted in to a 44th, but the top point winners were all different from last week, so the overall is still wide open. The guy who finished 5th was 4th in line, he averaged 385w in the draft for the last lap.
Cat 3-4 in the afternoon, i started at the back and was just looking to get some work in, it was a 30 lap race. it was pretty uneventful, no breaks to speak of, and i just sat in. about lap 15 or so, i decided to move up, in 3 laps i got to the front, just as an attack launched, i bridged and then 2 of the 3 i bridged to sat up, the other guy and i jumped on it and took off, we crossed the line as the USAC official rang the bell for a prime, we hammered for the lap, with me basiclly being pulled around by the animal in front, we crossed 1-2 for a $30-$20 prime, me getting the 20, as i go by the official looks at me and puts his arms in the WTF?? position, i had no idea what he was doing, so i continue on and realize i am overheating, so i go to unzip my jersey only to realize i had left my wind jacket on and my number was covered.....UGGGGHHHHH, so i try to unzip it it wont zip off, i spend two laps fudging with it, lost concentration and let a gap happen...adios baby, off the back i go, finally get it off, throw it to a friends dad and do a 3 lap ride of shame after getting dropped. pull off tell the USAC official i was the idiot that had his number covered and i was withdrawing, he laughed and said, just be happy i know you, go collect the prime, lol. met another BT'er CThoops (Kimberly) and watched Kim Edwards kick butt in the womens race!!! i will let her tell her story!!!
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2012-03-13 2:57 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
Extreme Veteran 386 West Hartford, CT | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread Nice job on the prime, Rudy! Alright, I'll report but it's a sad tale compared to the rest of you. Bethel Women's Open, my second bike race basically ever (I did a few races for fun several years ago but they don't really count.) Last week's Bethel was my first bike race and despite spending Tuesday and Wednesday with Connecticut's version of dysentery, I managed to hang on for 14 laps before getting dropped and ultimately lapped once by the field. Finished third from last. This week's goal, now that I had fully recovered, was to hang on with the field the entire time and try to get the confidence to ride in the pack (or at least one up from the very back). Umm, yeah. First four laps were great. I wasn't dead last - man what a difference in effort! - and I was getting settled in. I actually felt so great that I thought, "There's no way I won't be able to hang with the pack for the whole ride!". My plan was to try to start working my way up on the hill in the fifth lap. Unfortunately there was a crash on the hill at the end of the fourth lap. The rider looked fine, but stupid me slowed down and said, "Are you o.k.?" while the rest of the pack obviously didn't give a crap and rode away. Oops. Lesson learned. The worst part about it was that I knew I was now going to have to suffer alone for the remaining 18 laps, and after last week I knew exactly what that suffering was going to feel like. Oh well. I paid my money and I wasn't going to quit. I was lapped three times and finished second from last. At one point I couldn't decide which would feel more demoralizing - dropping out or getting lapped yet again! I settled on the idea that my honor was at stake and kept at it to the bitter end, finishing second from last. Anyway, I was initially pretty disappointed but now I'm ready to try again next week and get my revenge on the course. Lessons learned this week: (1) Ride in the pack - it's way easier. (2) Don't slow down to ask if someone is o.k. As Mr. cthoops said, it's not like I was going to be able to put a tourniquet on her! (3) Don't lose my concentration for even a second - if I do, the pack will be 100 yards ahead of me in an instant. I am having fun, though, and I had a great time meeting Kim and Rudy! Edited by cthoops 2012-03-13 2:59 PM |
2012-03-13 5:56 PM in reply to: #4005147 |
Master 1603 Connecticut | Subject: RE: 2012 cycling race report thread So nice to see you two out there! Bethel is a nice early season series and gets a fantastic women's field. It was a lot of fun catching up with everyone. This was my first crit of the year. I wasn't sure how I'd feel with all the gym work and so much less endurance training, but I felt pretty good.
Kimberly, when racers continue past a crashed rider, it isn't that they don't care. Nobody wants to see somebody fall and certainly nobody wants anyone to get hurt. However, in a crit, stopping and slowing create further hazards. The default response of racers should be to keep their focus 100% ahead and riding forward. This increases the odds that a pack will get safely by an accident, incident, or obstacle without further crashes. Crits have marshals, volunteers, officials, and first aid people on hand. If it is a serious accident or cannot otherwise be cleared in time, an official will neutralize or stop the race. Until then, the expectation is that the racers will keep their eyes ahead and ride forward.
Good luck next week, Kimberly and Rudy! Edited by dredwards 2012-03-13 5:59 PM |
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